United States

I thought it might be educational to start a thread on the do's and dont's
of playing live. Sort of a 'Gig Wisdom' thread.
In the spirit of the 'In time/In tune' thread.

Let me throw out a few simple Guitarist based ones that I've learned, just to start it off:

1) Duct Tape is your friend. Tape down your cables when you can and where you can. Always tape down the cord to your pedals or pedal board.

2) Play a little before you leave for the gig, and check to make sure all of your stuff is still in working order.

3) Make a Gig first aid kit: Extra strings, tape, cables, allen wrenches, string cutters, etc.

4) Arrange a place where you can get away from friends and general patrons to warm up before you go on.
If you are the type that gets nervous or a little stage-frighty, your hands will get cold and stiffen up. If you cant get away to warm up, hit the restroom and run some warm/hot water over your hands for a few minutes before you hit the stage.

5) Befriend whomever is running sound (be nice to the sound man). Try to get some semblance of a sound-check before your show.
I think live sound is fodder for a whole other discussion, but short and sweet: The sound out in the audience is what counts most. Get out in front of the stage and listen. 90% of the time your on-stage sound will suck, so make the best of it and dont freak out.

6) Face the audience. Most people really want you to succede. they arent waiting for you to flub something so that they can mock you.
For bands: have your stuff down from rehearsal time. If you believe in each other and can count on each other, then theres no need to fear any crowd.

Good stuff gt. we went there before on here somewhere but its always good to hear others take on this.
One question for you though Wont tape F/U your expensive cables I usually try my best to arrange stuff where it wont be underfoot as much as possable.

Good stuff gt. we went there before on here somewhere but its always good to hear others take on this.
One question for you though Wont tape F/U your expensive cables I usually try my best to arrange stuff where it wont be underfoot as much as possable.

I've never had an experience with tape F'ing up a guitar or speaker cable.
Spectacular catastrophes can happen from tripping over cables though.

Try to keep the volume down for the first few songs. Let your audience's ears get used to the decibels. Once they're drinking and having fun you can crank it up and no one will complain.

Try to avoid partying before you play. It's fine to have a beer on stage but don't have a few before.

Stick around and see the other bands if you play first. It's not only rude to pack up and leave after you play but you will miss opportunities to make new fans and sell CD's.

Remember you're there to do a job, even though you want to appear as though you came for a party. I have lots of others but I'll leave them for my peers.

See ya'll later I'm off to the evil Wal Mart for some tape
And that whole sneek the volume up on em idea, yea I lke that one

If your playing an outside gig, don't forget to pack a tarp!
(even if it was a sunny morn.)
Rain and power amps don't mix.

I'll leave my guitars at home before I'll walk out without the duct tape. I've never seen it damage a cable, after 30 years of taping them every gig.

I bring stage clothes, I won't play in the same grungy ones I wear to set up. Especially in rainy weather. Mud doesn't belong onstage.

If you eat before a gig, eat light. A heavy meal makes you lethargic, you're more likely to want to take a nap than play.

More than 2 beers and you start playing sloppy. Yes you. Yep, that's right YOU. Me too. No matter what you think, I've played sober for 30 years, (I quit drinking in 1977) and I've never seen anybody yet that didn't get sloppy after 3 drinks. Period. You only think you play just fine, my ears say you're full of it. I've said it before, I'll say it again - I quite often end up with a reputation as one of the best guitar players in my area and it's not because I'm all that good, I am good just nothing spectacular, it's more because I'm the only one sober. I've seen loads of better players suck by the 3rd set. And that's not only guitar players...

Use a set list, stick to it, no more than 30 seconds between songs, 15 or less if you can get it.

Bring extra everything. I'd be tempted to bring an extra truck sometimes if I could...I have no idea how many strings I've given other guitar players, mics I've loaned out for the night and let my vocal mic double on sax, cables, picks, guitar straps, slide bars, duct tape, even bottled water. I bring a soldering kit and cordless screwdriver, I've fixed bunches of cables and speaker jacks 15 minutes before a show. It's amazing how many people show up unprepared. Seasoned veterans even...

No you can't use my guitars.

ALWAYS cut the ends off your strings!!!

I've worked with a lot of ppl who just leave 'em out flopping around...then they wave the headstock atcha...DAMMIT!! I HATE that! I just know that one day I'm gonna end up with one in my eye! Oh, & rolling them up just looks icky, guys...don't do it...CUT 'EM!

Don't leave all of the banter to your front man...the entire band should have a personality that the audience can relate to...point out the good dancers & encourage others to join in.

Singers - avoid caffiene & alcohol before & during the gig...dries out yer vocal chords.

Keep all your cables looking neat...wrap 'em around the mic stand unless the front man swings it around like Daltry. Don't fear the duct tape, as previously stated.

Polish your axes...dress up your stage with a good back drop or light show.

Dress appropriately for the gig...those bib overalls might work for a bluegrass picnic, but not much else. I worked with one guy who wore camo bibs, one strap tucked into the things, with a red/white/blue striped shirt, a john deere baseball cap, & reebocs to a blues gig...I STILL tease him about his sartorial woes! ( It wasn't cutesy schtick...he's just an idjit sometimes! )

Use a good experienced sound man wherever possible, & make sure he keeps the snake well away from the dance floor & traffic areas.

& for heaven's sake - MOVE!! Don't just stand there looking like it's just a job. Sway to the tunes, jump up & down...whatever. Just look like you're having a good time, & hopefully the audience will pick up on it.

Yo Plilby!,

Did Ya' ever consider that there might be a REASON why all those fine guitar players set up a defence perimeter between themselves and Y'all!

HaHaHowlin'

Cut 'em indeed!

guitarists:

ALWAYS carry a Shure SM57 instrument microphone (or better), a tilting mic stand, and an XLR cable to every gig. Never assume the bar/club will provide these for you, and when they do, It's usually a crappy house mic.

That's all I got that hasn't been mentioned.

WHOO! I am loving this, lmao. This is like awesome stage wisdom. I am taking mental notes. Keep it coming people!

The beginner here is enjoying this! Lol.

I use to leave my guitar strings uncut, till I nearly blinded myself.

Now I cut them and keep the guitar in good shape. And about the dressing part for stage, I am fine. I am way into trend, I wear pants that are over $100.

Took me awhile to get them, but I wear them. I will not dress like a schmuck on stage, worst thing I will do is black nail polish.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

I think the MODS should sticky this!

STICKY STICKY STICKY STICKY STICKY

Yeah when we are playing outside, we run ground wire from the chassis of the amps to a metal stake in the ground, I believe this is an additional safety move, if it rains suddenly...I don't wanna be grounded for playing an aluminum neck guitar...or even suspended, maybe probation...

Always pee and take a big ole dump before you start your sets.